A 


Px.>ru- 

$ Y. 


MISSIONARY  SERMON, 


DELIVERED  AT 


HARTFORD, 


ON  THE  EVENING  OF  MAY  14,  1811. 


WILLIAM  LYMAN,  D.D. 

OF  EAST  HADDAM. 


HARTFORD : 


PETER  B.  GLEASON  AND  CO.  PRINTERS. 


• If  • . ....  . I ..  J 


a.e:  f » : *m*  * 

V .» :\  • t i 


' 


A MISSIONARY  SERMON 


PSALM  LXXIV.  20. 

Have  respect  unto  the  covenant : for  the  dark  places  of  the  earth  are 
full  of  the  habitations  of  cruelty. 

W ere  tlie  argument,  here  expressed  and  urged,  lightly  under- 
stood and  suitably  felt,  all  Ziou  would  unite  in  the  prayer  with 
which  this  passage  commences.  And  permit  me  to  remark,  that 
there  is  not  a child  of  God  upon  earth,  who  does  not,  in  some 
measure,  realize,  in  his  own  experience,  the  spirit  which  dictated 
these  words  of  the  Psalmist.  The  pious  Asaph  had  beheld,  with 
emotions  not  easily  described  or  uttered,  the  distresses  which  had 
prevailed  among  the  people  of  God,  and  the  desolation  to  which 
his  sanctuary  had  long  been  subjected.  The  ravages  of  God’s 
enemies  had  spread  consternation  and  woe  all  around  ; the  people 
of  the  Lord  were  dispersed  ; their  places  of  public  worship  de- 
stroyed, and  their  religious  establishments  deranged.  Nothing  was 
present  to  their  view  but  the  prospect  of  increasing  calamity,  and 
they  had  no  hope  but  from  the  mercy  and  faithfulness  of  that 
God  whom  they  had  often  provoked,  and  whose  goodness  they 
had  long  abused.  Their  enemies  had  not  only  “ burnt  up  all  the 
“ synagogues  of  God  in  the  land,”  but  they  were  meditating  an 
entire  overthrow  of  the  people  who  had  occupied  them  for  reli- 
gious purposes.  “ They  said  in  their  hearts,  Let  us  destroy  them 
“ together.”  And  the  Psalmist  further  observes  : “ The  tumult 
“ of  those  that  rise  up  against  thee  increaseth  continually.”  Un- 
der these  circumstances  we  readily  perceive  that  the  church  or 
the  people  of  God  were  not  only  in  a perilous,  but  in  a depressed 
and  suffering  state. 


4 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


* 


The  holy  penman  of  this  Psalm,  deeply  interested  by  what  he 
had  seen  and  felt,  betakes  himself  to  that  first  of  all  duties  which 
good  people  should  scrupulously  perform  at  all  times,  and  espe- 
cially in  a day  of  adversity.  He  was  an  earnest  pleader  with 
God  iu  behalf  of  an  oppressed  and  overwhelmed  people.  The 
favor  he  requests  is  apposite  to  the  case  he  has  in  view  ; and  the 
argument  he  uses  exactly  suited  to  excite  commiseration  and  pro- 
cure relief. — In  the  text  and  context  he  states  and  urges  the  mat- 
ter in  a most  pathetic  and  importunate  manner.  His  address  to 
God,  through  the  whole,  is  sublime,  appropriate  and  forcible  ; but 
in  no  part  do  the  energies  of  his  soul  rise  to  an  higher  pitch,  or 
flow  forth  in  a more  majestic  style,  than  in  that  comprehensive 
petition  which  forms  the  basis  of  our  present  meditations.  Here 
is  introduced  an  argument  addressed  to  the  feeling  and  sense  of 
propriety  which  are  supposed  to  exist  in  the  Being  to  w hom  ap- 
plication is  made.  It  is  reminding  him  of  his  own  declarations 
and  engagements  ; from  which  a confidence  is  gathered  that  he 
will  not  deviate  so  as  to  manifest  either  forgetfulness,  disregard  or 
unfaithfulness.  W ith  the  boldness  therefore  of  an  earnest  inter- 
cessor, the  Psalmist  moves  God  to  “ have  respect  unto  the  covc- 
“ nant then  he  enforces  his  plea  with  an  argument  addressed 
to  the  mercy  or  compassion  of  God  : “ for,  says  he,  the  dark 
“ places  of  the  earth  are  full  of  the  habitations  of  cruelty.”  This 
plea  and  this  argumeut  are  not  without  their  appropriate  signi- 
ficancy  and  pertinency  at  the  present  day.  Brethren  of  our  com- 
mon Lord,  my  design  is  to  engage  you  all  in  the  prayer  which 
opens  and  constitutes  the  theme  of  the  present  discourse.  We 
are  assembled  this  evening  before  God  to  contemplate  the  condi- 
tion of  those  destitute  of  the  privileges  in  w hich  we  all  rejoice, 
and  by  which  we  are  distinguished  above  most  of  our  brethren  of 
the  human  race  ; and  also  to  consider  what  duties  we  owe  to  the 
God  of  our  salvation,  a6  it  respects  the  diffusion  among  others  of 
that  light  w ith  which  we  are  surrounded,  and  those  blessings  with 
which  we  are  replenished.  Can  there  be  an  indifferent  attendant 
in  the  house  of  God,  who  regards,  with  no  sensible  emotion,  the 
object  which  our  meeting  together  professedly  embraces  P If  such 
an  one  hath  passed  over  the  threshold  of  the  sanctuary,  and  is 
now  within  these  sacred  walls,  the  Lord  have  mercy  to  open  his 
eyes  and  penetrate  his  heart,  before  he  leaves  his  seat,  that  he 


SESSIONARY  SERMON. 


may  not  be  alone,  and  feel  no  interest  in  that  prayer  which  is  to 
warm  the  hearts  and  enliven  the  desires  of  all  present  w ho  love 
these  abodes  of  Zion.  May  God  preside,  and  by  his  Holy  Spirit 
operate  in  directing  every  eye,  and  lifting  up  every  soul  to 
himself.  I shall, 

I.  Speak  of  the  covenant  which  God  hath  seen  fit  to  establish. 

II.  Consider  what  is  comprehended  in  his  having  respect  to 
this  covenaut. 

III.  I shall  lead  you  to  contemplate  the  argument  by  which 
his  respect  to  this  covenant  is  urged. 

IV.  I shall  apply  the  subject. 

That  we  may  proceed  in  an  orderly  and  intelligible  manner, 
we  are, 

I.  To  take  into  view  that  covenant  which  God  hath  seen  fit 
to  establish. 

It  may  be  observed,  that  the  phrase  here  used  is  in  a definite 
form  : “ Have  respect  to  the  covenant,”  as  if  it  was  but  one,  and 
was  understood  as  having  reference  to  a particular  object.  I sup- 
pose, however,  it  may  be  considered  as  having  a general  meaning, 
and  pointing,  in  one  comprehensive  view,  to  all  those  communica- 
tions which  God  hath  been  pleased  to  make  unto  men  relative  to 
his  designs  of  mercy  towards  our  apostate  and  fallen  race. 

If  the  expression  must  be  considered  as  limited  in  its  signifi- 
cation, I shall  strenuously  contend  that  it  means  the  covenant  of 
redemption,  that  covenant  of  the  Most  High,  avith  his  Son,  in 
which  he  promises  to  give  him  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance  anf[ 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  a possession.  In  the  benefits  of 
this  covenant,  all  the  children  of  God  have  a most  liberal  share  ; 
and  in  it  arc  contained  all  the  promises  of  good  which  God  hath 
made  to  his  people,  both  in  reference  to  their  own  personal  security 
and  happiness,  and  also  in  relation  to  that  display  of  his  mercy 
which  he  will  make  to  the  world  of  mankind  in  sending  the  gospel 
to  the  remotest  ends  of  the  earth,  and  in  causing  it  to  triumph  in 
the  conversion  and  salvation  of  souls,  and  in  the  enlargement  and 
purification  of  the  church.  The  promises  are  numerous,  particu- 


6 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


lar  and  animating  in  regard  to  the  prosperity  of  Zion.  Tile 
time  is  coming  when  religion  shall  more  generally  and  gloriously 
prevail — when  irreligion,  idolatry  and  wickedness,  shall  be  done 
away,  and  when  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  seas. 

Such  a time  is  described  and  predicted  in  the  word  of  God. 
Nor  are  these  predictions  in  a blind  and  unintelligible  form  ; but 
they  are  delivered  in  language  plain,  and  the  import  of  which 
cannot  easily  be  mistaken.  They  are  communicated  by  various 
writers,  at  different  times,  and  in  a variety  of  language.  They 
are  repeated  time  after  time,  and  made  familiar  to  the  weakest  un- 
derstanding in  those  who  are  enlightened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and 
who  have  their  senses  exercised  to  discern  spiritual  things  in  a 
spiritual  manner.  To  rehearse  them  w ould  be  to  exhibit  before 
you  a considerable  proportion  of  the  prophetic  writings.  And 
after  all,  they  would  serve  only  to  establish  one  idea  w hich  is  suf- 
ficiently confirmed  by  the  uniform  tenor  of  Scripture,  that  God 
hath  promised  to  protect  and  enlarge  his  church — to  increase  the 
number  of  converts,  and  raise  them  to  an  high  degree  of  purity  and 
felicity.  Perhaps  it  may  be  sufficient  to  remark,  that  the  prophet 
Isaiah,  in  an  early  part  of  his  prophecy,  expressly  declares  in  refer- 
ence to  these  times,  Isa.  ii.  2.  “ And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the 
“ last  days,  that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord’s  house  shall  be  estab- 
“ lished  in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  shall  be  exalted  above 
“ the  hills;  and  all  nations  shall  flow  uuto  it.” — In  a similar  strain 
the  prophet  Ilabakkuk  hath  also  declared,  “ For  the  earth  shall 
“ be  filled  with  the  know  ledge  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  as  the 
“ waters  cover  the  sea.” — That  remarkable  passage  in  Zechariah, 
which  breathes  the  same  spirit,  and  corroborates  the  same  idea, 
Reserves  to  be  mentioned,  “ In  that  day  shall  there  be  upon  the  bells 
X£  of  the  horses,  Holiness  to  the:  Lord.” — The  best  commentators 
have  ever  understood  this  as  referring  to  a very  flourishing  stale 
of  religion  in  the  world,  when  all  the  implements  in  use  for  labor 
or  convenience  among  men,  shall  be  devoted  to  God,  and  employ- 
ed in  his  service.  An  attentive  reader  of  divine  revelation  must 
know  that  a multitude  of  passages,  w hich  harmonize  in  sentiment, 
and  proclaim  the  same  glorious  truth,  might  easily  be  collected. 
Permit  me  only  to  subjoin  those  comforting  words  of  the  Saviour, 
Matt.  xvi.  18.  “ And  I say  also  unto  thee  that  thou  art  Peter  » 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


r 


“ an<l  upon  this  rock  I will  buihl  my  church  ; and  the  gates  of 
“ hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it.”  You  see,  iny  brethren,  by  the 
brief  statement  which  I have  given,  what  I understand  by  the 
covenant  spoken  of  in  the  text.  To  this  covenant,  comprehend- 
ing these  refreshing  and  enlivening  promises,  the  pious  Asaph 
prays  that  God  would  have  respect. — We  pass  then  to  consider, 

II.  What  is  intended  by  this  prayer. 

To  have  respect  to  any  one  is,  to  treat  him  w ith  marks  of 
attention,  which  betoken  an  high  sense  of  his  worth  and  import- 
ance. We  cannot  respect  that,  which  we  despise,  and  consider  of 
no  value.  There  must  be  an  opinion  of  some  dignity  and  value 
in  the  person  or  thing  respected.  Now  to  respeet  a promise  de- 
notes some  practical  attention  to  the  fulfilment  of  it.  No  one  w ho 
makes  a declaration  w hich  concerns  another,  and  by  which  expect- 
ations are  raised,  can  be  considered  as  respecting  the  truth  if  he 
pays  no  further  attention  to  the  business,  and  takes  no  measures 
to  accomplish  his  word.  Write  that  man  a liar,  who  says 
and  docs  not.  But  the  man  who  is  punctual  and  faithful  to  his 
engagments — who  conscientiously  regards  his  promises,  and 
though  “ he  sweareth  to  his  own  hurt  changeth  not,” — must  be 
considered  as  a man  w ho  respects  the  truth  ; and  particularly  res- 
pects his  own  promise.  Now  let  us  apply  this  to  the  case  before 
us.  God  is  requested  to  respect  the  covenant ; that  is,  to  have  re- 
gard, even  a practical  regard  to  the  declarations  he  hath  made, 
and  the  promises  he  hath  given  respecting  his  church.  The  thing 
requested  is,  that  God  would  not  tarnish  his  ow  n glory  by  being 
unfaithful  or  remiss  ; that  he  would  not  destroy  or  w eaken  the 
aonfidence  placed  in  him  by  being  indifferent  tow  ards  his  word, 
or  by  delaying  the  accomplishment  of  any  of  his  promises.  But 
that  he  would  cause  his  government  exactly  to  accord  w ith  his 
own  pre-concerted  and  pre-announced  purposes ; that  he  would 
not,  in  short,  pass  by  any  particular  comprehended  in  the  cove- 
nant into  w hich  he  hath  freely  and  graciously  entered,  but  in 
the  fullest  sense,  and  in  the  most  perfect  manner,  make  good  his 
word  by  fulfilling  this  declaration,  “ My  counsel  shall  stand,  and 
“ I will  do  all  my  pleasure.” 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  pious  author  of  the  Psalm 
doubted  of  the  faithfulness  of  God;  but  he  was  solicitous  that 


8 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


this  faithfulness  should  be  made  to  appear,  that  God’s  character 
might  be  unimpeached,  and  at  the  same  time  that  the  highest 
good  and  most  effectual  security  of  his  people  be  rendered  certain. 
God  permits  his  children  to  address  him  in  this  manner,  and  to 
plead  with  him  his  own  promises.  Beseeching  him  therefore  to 
have  respect  to  the  covenant,  is  nothing  less  or  more  than  that  he 
would  fulfil  his  own  declarations  respecting  the  protection,  growth 
and  establishment  of  his  church  ; that  he  would  spare  his  people, 
and  not  give  his  heritage  to  reproach  ; that  he  would  completely 
justify  the  confidence  of  his  people,  by  bringing  to  pass  all  the 
predicted  wonders  of  his  grace,  and  in  causing  his  name  and  his 
praise  to  be  glorious  throughout  the  world.  He  hath  promised 
that  the  seed  of  the  woman  shall  bruise  the  serpent’s  head.  This 
covenant  he  hath  repeated  in  a multitude  of  instances,  and  hath 
declared  concerning  his  Son,  that  “ he  shall  see  his  seed,  he  shall 

prolong  his  days,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in 
“ his  hands.  He  shall  see  of  the  Iravail  of  his  soul  and  shall  be 
“ satisfied.”  His  church  therefore  is  secured  abundantly  by  the 
promises  of  God  : and  his  having  “ respect  to  the  covenant,”  is 
carrying  these  promises  into  full  and  ultimate  effect. — Let  us 
now  as  proposed, 

III.  Contemplate  the  argument  by  which  the  Psalmist  urges 
this  “ respect  to  the  covenant.” 

The  argument  is  taken  from  a view  of  the  unenlightened  and 
idolatrous  parts  of  the  earth  ; where  every  species  of  iniquity  and 
horrid  impiety  prevails.  He  particularly  states  the  rage,  impetu- 
osity and  distress  which  accompany  such  a state,  and  grow  out 
of  such  ignorance  and  barbarity.  “ For  the  dark  places  of  the 
“ earth  are  full  of  the  habitations  of  cruelty.” — Men,  untaught  in 
the  holy  principles  of  revealed  religion,  with  passions  unsubdued 
by  the  grace  of  God,  and  under  the  dominion  of  depraved  and 
turbulent  lusts,  are  in  their  practices  oppressive  and  violent ; they 
trespass  on  the  rights  of  others,  and  bid  defiance  to  the  laws  of 
justice  and  mercy  ; trample  on  the  sacred  maxims  of  humanity, 
and  riot  in  the  spoils  of  fraudulent  extortion ; wrest  from  their 
fellow-men  the  privileges  conferred  on  them  by  the  God  of  nature, 
and  display  an  imbittered  hostility  against  their  own  species.  In 
short,  they  establish  rules  which  in  their  operation  are  calculated 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


9 


to  degrade  and  distress  their  fellow-men  ; subject  themselves  and 
their  brethren  around  not  only  to  inconvenience,  but  to  actual 
suffering,  and  display  human  nature  in  a disgusting  and  terrific 
point  of  light.  I might  notice  the  wars  and  confusions  which 
have  prevailed  among  the  nations,  and  spread  devastation  and 
ruin  through  populous  and  extensive  regions.  These,  as  an  in- 
spired penman  remarks,  James  iv.  I.  “ Came  of  the  lusts  of  men , 
that  war  in  their  members."  And  while  these  lusts  prevail,  such 
evils  will  continue  to  exist.  In  every  age  they  have  contributed 
to  make  this  earth  an  Aceldama  and  a Golgotha.  Ah  ! my 
brethren,  when  shall  the  Prince  of  peace  sway  his  sceptre,  and 
drive  discord  w ith  all  the  evils  of  mutual  destruction  from  among 
men  ? All  whose  breasts  are  warmed  with  benevolence,  and  who 
pant  for  the  security  and  happiness  of  their  kindred  associates, 
will  lift  up  an  earnest  cry,  and  say,  “ Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
“ quickly.”  But  it  is  not  my  design  so  much  to  speak  of  “ wars 
“ and  fightings,”  which  have  so  often  desolated  kingdoms  and 
empires  ; which  have  spread  devastation  through  the  w orld,  and 
filled  the  abodes  of  men  with  tears  and  groans.  For  these,  how- 
ever cruel,  have  not  been  confined  to  what  are  denominated  “ the 
“ dark  places  of  the  earth.”  They  have  shed  their  pestilential 
influence,  and  multiplied  their  horrors  among  nations  professedly 
enlightened,  and  among  whom  the  true  religion  hath  obtained. 
Though  at  the  same  time  they  are  not  to  be  imputed  to  the  in- 
fluence of  religion  on  the  hearts  and  lives  of  men,  but  often  to  the 
hostility  against  it  which  rages  in  the  human  breast,  and  calls 
forth  the  rancor  of  the  human  soul. 

By  the  conduct  of  man,  even  when  taught  the  knowledge  of 
the  true  God,  and  the  blessed  maxims  of  his  holy  word,  it  hath 
sufficiently  appeared,  that  “ men  love  darkness  rather  than  light, 

“ because  their  deeds  are  evil.”  But  the  cruelty  of  irreligion,  or 
of  idolatry  and  superstition,  may  sufficiently  appear  from  other 
sources.  There  is  a principle  or  bias  iu  human  nature,  which 
leads  men  to  adopt,  and  practise  almost  anyr  other  religion,  rather 
than  the  true. 

Hence  the  most  extravagant  sentiments  have  been  embraced 
and  the  most  abominable  practices  countenanced,  under  the  name 
and  garb  of  religion.  Superstitious,  impure  and  cruel  rites,  have 
been  introduced.  And,  under  the  sanction  of  these  rites,  customs 


iO 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


ihe  most  abhorrent  to  nature,  and  the  most  replete  with  vileness 
and  barbarity,  have  gone  into  the  forms  of  devotion  and  morality, 
debasing  the  virtue  of  the  heathen  world,  and  overwhelming  vast 
countries  with  lewdness  and  murder.  Even  the  sports  and  diver- 
sions of  heathen  nations,  have  manifested  an  unnatural  apathy 
w itli  respect  to  human  dignity,  and  human  happiness.  The  brutal 
creation,  in  the  w ildest  parts  of  it,  hath  been  outdone  in  deeds  of 
ferocity  and  cruelty  by  those  w ho  have  claimed  distinction  on  the 
scale  of  rationality  and  civ  ilization.  The  gymnastic  exercises,  and 
the  gladiatorial  sports,  have  occasioned  inconceivable  distress, 
among  refined,  but  unenlightened  nations.  They  have  issued 
in  the  mangling,  decrepitude  and  death  of  thousands  and  thou- 
sands of  the  poor  deluded  and  infatuated  sous  of  men. 

But  I come  more  directly  to  the  religions  w hich  have  been 
eminently  marked  with  cruelty  and  blood.  These  are  found  in 
Pagan,  Mahometan  and  Popish  countries.  The  latter,  which 
goes  under  the  name  of  Popery,  or  the  Catholic  religion,  hath 
exhibited  more  scenes  of  honor  than  I am  able  or  willing  to 
describe.  Human  nature  shudders,  and  benevolence  weeps,  at 
the  retrospect,  which  presents  the  scarlet  coloured  woman,  array- 
ed in  her  appropriate  ensigns,  and  decked  with  the  signals  of  her 
unparalleled  impiety.  Most  appropriate  is  the  frontispiece,  which 
announces  her  to  be,  “ Mystery,  Babylon  the  great,  the  mother  of 
“ harlots,  and  abominations  of  the  earth.”  This  monster  of  vice 
and  cruelty  which  is  no  other  than  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
is  represented  as  being  drunken  with  the  “ blood  of  the  sainlsr 
“ and  with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs,  of  Jesus.”  Scarcely  can  we 
do  less,  when  we  view  her  in  this  light,  than  with  the  apocalyptic 
writer,  “ wonder  with  great  admiration.” — Persecutions,  com- 
menced and  carried  on  with  diabolical  fervor  and  rage,  have  crim- 
soned the  earth,  with  more  blood,  and  occasioned  more  distress, 
than  my  pen  can  describe,  my  tongue  utter,  or  my  imagination, 
without  pain,  conceive. 

Thousands  and  millions,  of  poor  sufferers,  have  groaned  at  the 
stake,  expired  on  the  scaffold,  and  been  tortured,  even  in  the 
agonies  of  death,  by  every  engine,  and  in  every  method  which 
ingenuity,  malice  and  cruelty  could  invent.  The  inquisition  hath 
teemed  with  blood,  and  raged  with  decapitation. — Those  who  are 
termed  heretics,  or  protestauts,  are  not  indulged  the  common  rights 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


1 1 


of  other  citizens;  tlieir  persons  and  property  arc  liable  to  pro- 
scription, and  with  them,  according  to  an  article  of  the  Catholic 
religion,  no  faith  is  to  be  kept. 

There  are  also  penances,  pilgrimages  and  a variety  of  imposi- 
tions, which  in  many  instances,  can  be  termed  nothing  short  of 
cruel.  But  I choose  to  confine  myself  principally  to  acts  of  vio- 
lence. These  are  sufficient  to  show,  that  cruelty  in  an  high  dc- 

9 

gree  is  attached  to  this  form  of  religion.  But  after  all,  the  high- 
est measures  of  cruelty  are  those  which  respect  the  spiritual  con- 
dition of  men.  The  body  of  the  peopde  are  designedly  kept  in 
ignorance,  and  the  most  barefaced  impositions  are  practised  on  the 
deluded  multitude,  in  regard  to  the  future  and  endless  concerns  of 
their  immortal  souls.  Blind-folded  by  the  sacrilegious  arts  of  their 
corrupt  and  designing  teachers,  they  are  led  on  to  destruction. 
On  the  whole,  therefore,  we  must  conclude  that  the  places,  where 
these  things  prevail,  are  “ dark  places  of  the  earth,”  and  “ full 
“ of  the  habitations  of  cruelty.” 

I must  not  however  stop  here  ; but  take  a view  of  the  Mahom- 
etans and  Pagans. — These,  together  with  the  Jews,  are  supposed 
to  constitute  more  than  three  quarters  of  the  human  race.  By  a 
compulation  which  hath  been  made,  (how  recently  I cannot  tell,) 
the  whole  globe  is  reckoned  to  contain  eight  hundred  and  niuety- 
six  millions  of  inhabitants.  Of  these  it  is  computed,  that  two 
hundred  and  sixteen  millions  are  Christians,  or  go  under  that 
name  ; ten  millions  are  Jews  ; tw  o hundred  and  ten  millions  are 
Mahometans,  and  four  hundred  and  sixty  millions  are  Pagans. 
Of  this  vast  number,  less  than  one  third  are  denominated  Chris- 
tians. And  of  these  only  fifty  millions  are  reckoned  to  be 
Protestants  ; forty-seven  millions  are  of  the  Greek  church  and 
Armenians ; one  hundred  and  nineteen  millions  are  Catholics. 

According  to  this  calculation,  the  Catholics  are  more  than  four 
times  the  number  of  Protestants  ; and  these  last  constitute  but  a 
little  more  than  one-eighteenth  part  of  the  whole  number  of  in- 
habitants on  this  globe.  I will  not  contend  that  this  is  an  accu- 
rate calculation  ; but  I am  ready  to  conceive  that  as  it  respects 
the  proportion,  it  differs  not  materially  from  the  truth.  In  this 
view  of  the  matter,  what  melancholy  reflections  must  arise  in  the 
mind  of  a considerate  and  sober  person,  when  he  admits  the 
ihought  that  such  vast  multitudes  arc  living  in  ignorance  of  God 


12 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


and  of  the  way  of  salvation  through  Jesus  Christ ! In  the  view 
of  a Christian,  or  a believer  in  divine  revelation,  who  admits  of, 
or  acknowledges  no  true  light  but  what  comes  from  the  word  of 
God,  the  whole  Pagan  world,  who  are  more  than  half  that  inha- 
bit this  globe,  and  with  them  all  the  Mahometan  nations,  must  be 
reckoned  as  inhabiting  “ the  dark  places  of  the  earth  dark  in 
regard  to  religious  knowledge  ; dark  with  respect  to  moral  virtue  ; 
and  no  less  dark  in  regard  to  future  prospects.  And  let  us  con- 
sider, they  are  not  only  dark,  but  distinguished  above  all  others 
for  deeds  of  cruelty.  Look  at  the  Mahometan  imposture,  and 
consider  hoiv  it  hath  established,  and  doth  still  support  itself  by 
the  sword  ! Look  at  Pagan  idolatry,  and  see  what  horrid  rites 
it  sanctioned  and  enjoined  ! Of  the  Grecians  it  is  recorded,  that 
among  them  “ Children  which  were  deformed  or  of  a bad  consti- 
“ tulion  were  murdered.  This  inhuman  custom,”  saith  a correct 
and  elegant  writer,  (Fuller,)  “ was  common  all  over  Greece  : so 
“ much  so,  that  it  was  reckoned  a singular  thing  among  the  The- 
“ bans  that  the  law  forbad  any  Theban  to  expose  his  infant  under 
“ pain  of  death.” 

“ The  Romans  were  allowed  by  Romulus  to  destroy  all  their 
“ female  children,  except  the  eldest ; and  even  with  regard  to 
“ their  male  children,  if  they  were  deformed  or  monstrous,  he 
“ permitted  the  parents  to  expose  them,  after  having  shewn  them 
“ to  five  of  their  nearest  neighbors.  Such  things  were  in  com- 
“ mon  use  amongst  them,  and  celebrated  upon  their  theatres.” — 
This  show  s the  taste  and  temper  of  the  people.  And  it  is  further 
added,  Such  was  their  cruelty  to  their  slaves,  that  it  was  not 
“ unusual  for  the  masters  to  put  such  of  them  as  were  old,  sick 
“ and  infirm  into  an  island  in  the  Tiber,  where  they  left  them  to 
“ perish.  So  far  did  some  of  them  carry  their  luxury  and  wanton- 
“ ness  as  to  drown  them  in  the  fish  ponds,  that  they  might  be  de- 
“ voured  by  the  fish,  to  make  the  Gesh  more  delicate.” — In  regard 
to  the  gladiatory  shows,  the  same  writer  observes,  that  “ So  fre- 
“ quent  did  they  become,  that  no  war,  it  is  said,  caused  such  slaugh- 
“ ter  of  mankind  as  did  these  sports  of  pleasure,  throughout  the  seve. 
“ ral  provinces  of  the  Roman  empire.  Human  sacrifices  were  ofler- 
“ ed  up  in  almost  all  heathen  countries.  Children  were  burnt  alive 
“ by  their  own  parents  to  Baal,  Moloch  and  other  deities.  The 
“ Carthaginians,  in  times  of  public  calamity,  not  only  burnt  alive 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


1 J 


“ the  children  of  the  best  families  to  Saturn,  and  that  by  liun- 
“ dreds,  but  sometimes  sacrificed  themselves  in  the  same  manner 
“ in  great  numbers.” 

It  might  be  easy  to  point  out  among  Hie  Chinese,  the  Hindoos, 
and  other  eastern  countries  a variety  of  the  vilest  and  most  atro- 
cious practices  ; but  I shall  confine  myself  to  those  properly  de- 
nominated cntel.  The  Rev.  Claudius  Buchanan,  whose  services 
as  a missionary  in  the  East  Indies  are  extensively  known  and  ad. 
mired  in  the  Christian  world,  in  his  “ Memoir  of  the  Expediency 
“ of  an  Ecclesiastical  establishment  for  British  India,”  states  a 
variety  of  practices  among  the  Hindoos,  which  a Christian  cannot 
fail  to  consider  as  being  in  a peculiar  manner  cruel.  He  says, 
“ Children  are  sacrificed  by  their  parents  to  Gunga ; they  are 
“ hung  up  on  trees  in  baskets  and  devoured  by  birds  of  prey. 
V Female  infants  among  the  Rajpoot  Hindoos  are  destroyed  by 
“ starving.  Men  and  women  drow  n themselves  in  the  Ganges,  at 
“ the  places  reputed  holy.  They  devote  themselves  to  death  by 
“ falling  under  the  w heels  of  the  machine  w hich  carries  their 
“ gods.  Widows  are  burned  alive  with  their  deceased  husbands. 
“ Widows  are  buried  alive  with  their  deceased  husbands.  Persons 
“ supposed  to  be  dying  are  immersed  in  the  river.  There  is  also 
“ among  them  the  inhuman  practice  of  swinging  with  hooks  pas- 
“ sed  through  the  integuments  of  the  back  ; and  likew  ise  dancing 
“ with  threads,  canes  or  bamboos  passed  through  the  sides.  Spits 
“ or  other  instruments  of  iron  are  passed  through  the  tongue  or 
“ forehead.  Falling  from  a height  on  sharp  instruments,  and 
“ climbing  naked  a tree  armed  with  horrid  thorns ; also  swinging 
“ over  a fire.”  All  these  practices  obtain  among  these  poor,  de- 
luded, superstitious  and  idolatrous  people.  Do  you  not  pity  their 
blindness  ? Do  you  not  commiserate  their  wretchedness  ? — In  the 
year  1804,  it  is  stated  on  good  authority,  that  in  the  course  of 
six  months,  and  within  thirty  miles  round  Calcutta,  the  number 
of  women  who  were  burned  alive  on  the  funeral  pile  with  their 
deceased  husbands,  was  one  hundred  and  sixteen  ; making  an  ave- 
rage number  of  nearly  twenty  per  month.  By  an  account  taken 
in  1803,  the  number  of  women  sacrificed  during  that  year  v/ithiH 
thirty  miles  round  Calcutta,  w'as  two  hundred  and  seventy -five. — 
This  horrid  practice,  with  many  others,  bespeaks  an  high  degree 
of  blindness,  stupidity  and  delusion,  inhumanity  and  monstrous 


14 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


depravity.  Who  will  hesitate  to  say,  that  where  these  things 
prevail  are  to  be  found  “ the  dark  places  of  the  earth,”  and  that 
the  Psalmist  is  correct  when  he  says  they  are  “ full  of  the  habi- 
“ tations  of  cruelty  ?”  Would  the  time  allow,  I might  add  to 
this  frightful  picture.  But  your  patience,  already  put  to  a severe 
trial  would  be  exhausted  were  I to  extend  the  detail  to  one  half 
the  miseries  which  spread  over  a benighted  world.  The  horrors 
with  which  the  French  revolution  hath  been  encrimsoncd,  form  a 
view  at  which  benevolence  sickens  and  sympathy  weeps.  The 
atheistical  darkness  which  overspread  that  portion  of  the  earth, 
and  chilled  with  its  deadening  glooms  every  noble  sentiment  of 
the  soul  was  more  palpable  than  Egyptian  night,  and  issued  in 
more  horrors  than  Rama  or  Bethlehem  ever  beheld  or  deplored. 
Rachel  might  weep  again,  and  Bethlehem’s  nurseries  be  emptied 
of  all  their  smiling  hopes,  without  reaching  the  heights  of  Pari- 
sian butchery  and  Gallic  distress.  The  stains  on  that  nation  are 
more  deeply  tinged  than  the  Leopard’s  spots,  and  blackened  with 
more  vivid  darkness  than  the  Ethiopian’s  skin.  To  their  moral 
character  maybe  applied  those  words  of  poetic  crimination  which 
offer  to  us  a scriptural  description  of  human  nature  in  the  fol- 
lowing form: 

“ No  bleeding  bird,  nor  bleeding  beast, 

41  Nor  hyssop  branch,  nor  sprinkling  priest, 

“ Nor  running  brook,  nor  flood,  nor  sea, 

“ Can  wash  the  dismal  stain  away.’’ 

I might  look  on  the  state  of  the  poor  heathen  on  our  borders, 
and  announce  to  you  the  cruelties  which  are  attached  to  their 
forms  of  government,  forms  of  religion  and  modes  of  life.  1 
might  also  lead  you  through  the  trackless  and  howling  wilderness, 
till  our  eyes  were  fixed  on  some  of  our  frontier  settlements,  where 
moral  darkness  and  human  wretchedness  intermingle  and  produce 
hideous  monsters  of  distress.  But  1 must  only  glance  at  these 
things,  and  leave  them  to  be  pursued  by  your  oiru  inquiries  and 
reflections.  Enough  perhaps  has  becu  said  to  enforce  the  argu- 
ment which  prompts  to  the  earnest  plea,  in  which  all  good  people 
must  unite,  that  God  would  “ have  respect  to  the  covenant.” — 
These  dark  and  doleful  regions  where  cruelty  erects  her  standard, 
and  not  only  makes  an  occasional  encampment,  but  a fixed  resi- 


I 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


15 


deuce  ; aud  which  have,  not  merely  a few  of  her  tents,  but  are  full 
of  her  habitations  where  she  remains  and  triumphs  at  large  ; these, 
these,  my  brethren,  are  places  which  need  to  be  visited  with  di- 
vine light  and  grace.  These,  these,  above  all  others,  are  objects 
of  attention  with  the  benevolent  and  the  prayerful.  Forcible  is 
the  reasou  which  urges  the  request,  that  God  would  arise  and 
have  mercy  on  the  nations ; that  he  would  remember  the  cove- 
nant with  Abraham  and  the  covenant  with  his  son ; that  he  would 
cause  the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,  and  the  remainder,  effec- 
tually restrain. 

What  shall  I say  then,  my  brethren,  in  an  Application  of  this 
subject  ? 

Is  there  nothing  for  us  to  do  ? Are  there  no  measures  for  us  to 
adopt  P Have  we  no  call  to  duty  ? And  must  we  embrace  the 
stupifying  and  the  anti-cliristian  doctrine  that  we  must  lie  still 
and  let  God  do  his  own  work  ? Will  it  be  competent  in  this  case 
to  plead  that  the  decrees  of  God  are  in  the  way,  and  nothing  we 
can  do  will  alter  his  purposes,  or  change  the  face  of  society  ? — 
Lie  down,  then,  in  this  loathsome  pond  of  avarice,  and  gather 
into  the  niggardly  form  of  a fatalist  and  a self-devotee,  but  never 
call  yourself  a Christian,  nor  ever  again  attempt  to  rank  with  ra- 
tional beings  or  philanthropists.  The  gospel  breathes  a different 
spirit ; the  gospel  proclaims  a different  sentiment ; the  gospel 
brightens  with  a different  hope  ; the  gospel  glows  with  a different 
fervor.  Come  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty  ; es- 
pouse the  cause  of  omnipotent  grace,  and  fight  the  battles  of  the 
Lord,  is  the  voice  of  inspired  truth  to  all  the  real  lovers  of  Zion. 
And  if  compassion  for  your  fellow-creatures,  or  regard  for  the 
glory  of  God  has  any  dominion,  or  any  existence  in  your  breasts, 
you  w ill  not  be  idle  spectators  of  all  this  affecting  scene.  You  will 
at  least  lift  up  your  cry  to  God,  and  say.  Have  mercy  upon  Zion ; 
have  mercy  upon  the  world  of  mankind ; fulfil  thine  own  gracious 
purposes,  aud  speedily  “ have  respect  to  the  covenant .”  Nor  will 
your  prayers  be  all.  Correspondent  exertions  will  be  put  forth, 
and  you  will  cheerfully  bear  a part  in  sending  the  gospel  to  the 
remotest  ends  of  the  earth.  Your  benevolence  will  be  expansive, 
and  embrace  the  whole  family  of  man.  Your  liberality  will  say 
to  the  harbingers  of  truth  and  to  the  heralds  of  salvation,  “ Go 


16 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creative.” 
Your  desire  will  be  that  the  dark  places  of  the  earth  may  be  en- 
lightened by  the  cheering  rays  of  divine  truth,  and  that  the  Sun 
of  righteousness  may  arise  with  healing  in  his  wings.  Mission- 
aries you  wiil  be  disposed  to  seek  and  send  forth  completely  fur- 
nished with  the  luminous  armor  of  the  cross,  and  replenished  with 
that  knowledge  of  God  and  Christ  which  shall  invigorate  them  in 
the  service  of  men’s  souls,  and  prepare  them  “ to  do  exploits ” in 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  Say  not  that  you  arc  unable,  and  that 
it  will  do  no  good.  Say  rather,  if  you  make  no  efforts,  you  are 
unwilling  and  spiritless.  “Two  mites  which  make  a farthing,” 
may  put  it  in  your  power  to  acquire  immortal  fame  on  the  records 
of  Christian  benevolence.  Let  not  a poor  widow,  w ho  of  her 
penury  cast  in  all  her  living,  any  longer  shame  the  whole  Christian 
world,  and  be  entitled  to  the  highest  evangelical  eulogy.  At  least 
be  her  competitor  or  her  associate  in  the  dignities  which  pertain 
to  acts  of  unstinted  beneficence  ; and  while  the  rich  of  their  abun- 
dance cast  into  the  treasures  of  the  Lord,  much  of  their  substance, 
outdo  them  all  by  giving  according  to  your  ability,  with  a willing 
mind  and  a liberal  hand.  The  Lord  who  witnesses  such  displays 
of  charity,  and  watches  every  movement,  will  discover  this  act, 
and  though  it  should  fail  of  being  proclaimed  “ wherever  this  gos- 
“ pci  is  preached ,”  yet  it  shall  be  proclaimed  at  the  august  tribu- 
nal of  Jesus  Christ,  and  shall  in  no  wise  lose  its  reward.  Can  a 
child  of  benevolence  be  otherwise  than  impatient  to  relieve  the 
distresses  under  which  his  brethren  groan  ? And  will  he  grudge  a 
few  dimes  or  dollars  to  drive  darkness  and  cruelty  from  among 
men  ? When  we  look  over  the  Pagan,  Mahometan  and  Catholic 
countries,  what  calls  to  Christian  charity  lift  up  their  united  and 
commanding  voice  ! All  Christendom  should  be  alive  to  these 
moving  calls,  and  in  the  expedition  to  reclaim  the  world,  and  plant 
the  standard  of  the  cross  on  heathen  or  infidel  ground,  all  should 
go  forth  embodied,  and  leave  not  a hoof  behind.  Do  you  ask 
whether  the  founder  of  our  religion  was  charitable  ? I reply,  look 
to  the  thickening  wonders  of  Mount  Calvary.  There  behold  the 
price  paid  for  your  redemption,  and  remember  that  you  arc  re- 
deemed not  w ith  corruptible  things  as  silver  and  gold,  but  with 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a Lamb  without  spot.  Do  you 
ask  again  whether  he  was  liberrl  ? I remind  you  that  though  “ he 


MISSIONARY  SERMON. 


17 


« was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  he  became  poor,  that  \vc  through 
“ his  poverty  might  be  rich.” 

Subscribe  to  the  correctness  of  this  statement  ami  you  bar  your- 
self forever  against  the  doctrine  of  a selfish  religion  ; you  admit  at 
once,  that  disiuterested  benevolence  has  existence,  and  forms  the 
basis  of  our  religion.  Only  consider  then  in  this  point  of  view, 
that  “ if  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ  he  is  none  of  his.” 
Christ  gave  himself  for  you,  and  will  you  give  no  part  of  your  sub- 
stance for  him  ? He  died  for  his  enemies,  and  will  you  do  nothing 
to  relieve  the  distresses,  remove  the  ignorance,  and  save  the  souls  of 
your  fellow-men  ? Methiuks,  when  you  consider  your  privileges, 
and  the  miserable  state  of  your  fellow-men,  you  must  pant  for  an 
opportunity  to  cast  in  your  mite.  When  the  address  to  your  com- 
passion and  tenderness  is  so  plain  and  so  pungent,  can  you  with- 
hold from  the  receivers  of  religious  contribution  ? Can  you  be 
easy  to  lock  up  your  coffers  and  let  the  sandall’d  Missionaries  of 
the  cross  go  famishing,  to  the  abodes  of  idolatrous  and  wicked 
men?  When  “ the  harvest  is  great,  and  the  laborers  are  few,” 
will  you  not  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send  forth  laborers 
into  his  vineyard,  and  also  bid  them  God-6peed,  by  furnishing  them 
with  means  of  subsistence  ? A small  part  of  Europe  is  alive  on 
this  subject,  and  from  England  are  pouring  forth  streams  of  Chris- 
tian liberality.  Bible  Societies  and  Missionary  Societies,  greatly 
multiplied,  are  doing  wonders  ; and  wonderful  is  their  success  ! 
Shall  America  and  the  free-born  sons  of  a christianized  land  in 
which  we  dwell  be  less  active,  when  all  around  the  objects  of  this 
charity  rise  to  view  ! At  least  provide  for  your  brethren  in  the 
new  and  vacant  settlements.  Send  them  Bibles,  and  send  them 
Ministers.  They  will  thank  you,  and  the  Lord  will  reward  you. 
Where  the  love  of  Jesus  and  the  love  of  souls  begin  to  operate, 
is  it  too  much  to  expect  or  require  that  some  will  step  forth  and 
sayr,  “ Lord,  the  one  half  of  my  goods  I give  to  the  poor”  heathen  5 
and  if  I have  withheld  in  any  instance  from  the  reasonable  de- 
mands of  charity,  I offer  restitution  by  advancing  “ fourfold  ?” 
Already  Zion  groans  under  the  weight  of  an  avaricious  and  world- 
ly spir  it.  She  needs  to  be  comforted.  She  asks  of  her  sons  and 
daughters  to  give  her  enlargement,  that  she  may  break  forth  on 
the  right  hand  and  on  the  left.  The  unbelief  and  stupidity  of 
professors  keep  her  from  rising.  If  her  children  shall  awake  aud 


18 


MISSIONARY  SIR  MON. 


provide  for  her  nourishment,  the  prophetic  mandate  will  be  obey- 
ed, and  the  prophetic  splendor  will  appear  which  these  words  an- 
nounce, “ Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the 
“ Lord  is  risen  upon  thee.”  From  all  the  horrid  persecutions  of 
infidel  malice  and  satanic  rage,  she  will  emerge  with  the  Captain 
of  her  salvation  in  front,  and  again  will  be  repeated  those  solemn 
words  of  astonishment  and  grace,  “ Who  is  this  that  cometh  from 
“ Edom,  with  dyed  garments  from  Bozrah  : this,  that  is  glorious 
“ in  his  apparel,  travelling  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength  ? — 
“ I that  speak  in  righteousness,  mighty  to  save.” 

If  at  such  a time,  when  the  glory  of  the  church  shall  appear, 
and  her  majestic  attitude  shall  so  arve  the  beholders  around,  that 
“ Kings  shall  cast  down  their  crowns,”  will  you  delay  to  cast 
down  your  offerings  of  silver  and  gold,  that  such  blessedness  may 
be  experienced  among  men  ? O my  beloved  brethren,  do  not  sit 
mute,  or  be  inactive  on  such  an  occasion.  First  give  yourselves 
to  the  Lord,  and  then  surrender  your  substance  to  him.  It  is  your 
reasonable  service.  It  is  your  incumbent  and  indispensable  duty. 
Dispense  as  much  as  his  cause  plainly  requires,  and  hold  all  the 
rest  at  his  wise,  holy  and  sovereign  disposal.  Do  good  on  a libe- 
ral scale.  Relieve  the  distresses  of  your  fellow-men,  and  send  an 
exterminating  light  into  those  “ dark  places  of  the  earth,”  where 
cruelty  has  her  multiplied  abodes.  Fly  to  the  funeral  pile,  and 
snatch  the  deluded  and  devoted  victim  from  the  devouring  ele- 
ment. Pay  the  price  of  aiding  in  the  deliverance  and  salvation  of 
one  poor  benighted  soul . Give  wings  to  the  angels  which  hover 
over  the  abodes  of  Zion,  and  let  them  fly  through  the  midst  of 
heaven  to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel  to  them  that  dwell  on  the 
earth.  While  your  hearts  and  hands  are  employed  in  adminis- 
tering every  needed  supply  to  carry  on  the  glorious  work,  let 
your  voice  be  heard,  saying,  “ Lift  up  your  heads,  O ye  gates, 
“ and  be  ye  lift  up,  ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the  king  of  glory 
“ shall  come  in.” — yet  let  cot  your  charities,  however  liberal, 
elate  you  with  pride  or  self-confidence.  Humbly  bow  before  the 
God  you  serve,  and  confess,  “ All  things  come  of  thee  ; and  of 
“ thine  own  have  we  given  thee. — The  silver  id mine  and  the 
“ gold  is  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.”  Do  not  then  withhold. 
It  is  sacrilege — it  is  robbery.  And  “ will  a man  rob  God  ?”  Oh, 
remember  that  the  liberal  deviseth  “ liberal  things,  and  by  liberal 


MISSIONARY'  SERMON. 


19 


“ things  shall  he  stand.’'  Yea,  “ The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made 
“ fat.”  For  your  encouragement  it  is  declared,  “ The  Lord  loveth 
“ a cheerful  giver.”  If  you  will  do  thus,  Ethiopia  will  more  fully 
stretch  out  her  hands  unto  God,  and  the  isles  “ shall  wait  for  his 
“ law.”  The  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for 
them  ; and  the  “ desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose.” 
This  earth  will  become  the  peaceable  habitation  of  righteousness, 
and  the  happy  times  predicted  in  the  oracles  of  truth,  and  anti- 
cipated with  joy  by  the  people  of  God,  shall  commence,  ivhcu  shall 
be  fulfilled  this  animating  prophecy,  “ And  I will  rejoice  in  Jcru- 
“ salem  and  joy  in  my  people,  and  the  voice  of  weeping  shall  be 
“ no  more  heard  in  her,  nor  the  voice  of  crying.” — “ They  shall 
“ not  hurt  uor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  mountain,  saith  the  Lord.” 


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